History and Civil Rights in Yonkers, New York (documentary)

In 1985, the US vs. Yonkers ruling challenged the institutionalized housing and educational discrimination of an entire city. The linkage of housing discrimination with a segregated school system was an historical watershed. Through the courts a ruling codified a remedy for both. Critics believed the ruling illustrated an out of control judiciary while supporters of the decision hoped social justice was on the way. Instead, the fallout from the decision exposed racial fault lines in Yonkers, New York as the white community resented any effort to expand access to better, more integrated housing for minorities.

Brick by Brick: A Civil Rights Story, is a documentary covering the struggle for civil rights in Yonkers, New York. This Friday, at 9PM (EST), PBS will televise the documentary locally in the New York metropolitan area. The film's director and producer, Bill Kavanagh first started working on this project in 1988 and he agreed to be interviewed by me.

Listen to, "History and Civil Rights in Yonkers, New York: A Podcast Interview With Filmmaker Bill Kavanagh" in the Intepid Liberal Journal.

[The SOURCE link is to the podcast interview.]